Psychology of Music Learning Miksza Historical Foundations of Psychology

Generic Definition: Psychology - the study of the mind and mental processes… Deep roots in philosophy, particularly epistemology and metaphysics…

Epistemological Roots Rationalism – Descartes/Kant –Innate reasoning Empiricism - Locke –Blank slate Naturalism - Rousseau

Metaphysical Considerations Mind and Body Relationships –Monism Materialism Idealism –Dualism - Descartes

Characteristics of Good Science Scientific Method - induction, deduction, hypotheses, theory, principle, law –Objectivity –Testability, Refutability, Verifiability –Prediction –Parsimonious –Generalization –Fits within/builds upon existing body of knowledge –Useful Application

Early Theories and Figures Associationism –Mill Charles Darwin –Adaptive function –On the Origin of the Species (1859) Herman von Helmholz –Unconscious inference –On the Sensations of Tone (1863)

Introspectionism Wilhelm Wundt –Introspectionist methodology –Early laws –Basic mental processes –Influential students

Structuralism Edward Titchenor Student of Wundt –Introspective method –Stimulus error –Images, sensations, affect –Imageless elements

Functionalism James Angell –Critic of Structuralist mission Student… Watson John Dewey –Pragmatist, educational philosopher William James Student of Helmholz –Adaptive process –Contiguity –Frequency –Lack of concern for study of conscious Student… Thorndike